Kisa walked around the bright gardens that surrounded the castle. Every once in a while she would pause and glance up the walls at the window of Tohru's room. Her sister wasn't here today as well, this was starting to worry her but Haru told her not to. Without Tohru around she was also bored with no one to talk to or play with. She paced around until she heard soft murmurs of talking starting to grow louder along with footsteps. Kisa instantly hid behind the thick trees, she would rather be alone at this moment. The voices got stronger and clearer. She placed her hands over her ears so she wouldn't eavesdrop but she couldn't help but overhear and recognize them as Oubasan and Hakufu.
"Those Fuyus are getting on my nerves! Who do they think they are? Talking to us like that, how disrespectful!" Oubasan snapped.
"Honey, are you still talking about this? That was quite some time ago..." he reminded her.
"Dear, how can you expect me to forget those hurtful things they spurred at us?" She replied a little calmer.
"They do have a point though. I think it's about time for us to find a fiancée for Tohru. Anyone will do, except for him," Hakufu added.
Oubasan nodded readily agreeing with him. Kisa stuck her head out a few inches watching Hakufu smile coldly. She shrunk back not wanting them to catch her and punish her for listening. Originally she didn't plan to but they were talking about her sister. Tohru would want to hear about this, she was positive that her sister wouldn't like the fact that they were bringing the topic of an arranged marriage up again.
"Yes, we'll go talk to her about that immediately," Oubasan complied easily.
"I haven't seen her all morning though…" muttered Hakufu.
"Neither have I… We'll just have to wake her up! How indecent, sleeping at this hour!" Oubasan cried with a disgusted face.
Kisa gasped. If Oubasan and Hakufu went to see Tohru, they'd learn she wasn't here. She bit her lip not sure how to help. Tohru needed her to keep them from finding out, she must be doing something important or why would she bother leaving home? Haru had to help her cover up for Tohru. Oubasan turned her way, staring at the tree.
"What's wrong?" Hakufu asked.
"I though I heard someone just now…" Oubasan answered taking a step towards the tree.
Kisa held her breath her eyes wide from fear. She pushed herself against the tree pulling her legs as close to her chest as possible. Silently she prayed that they would just walk on and ignore it. Oubasan scanned the trees with a pair of menacing eyes. Even though Kisa couldn't see her eyes she still felt the piercing chill through her body.
"It must be the wind…" mumbled Hakufu.
"Let's go then..."
As soon as they were out of sight Kisa ran off to find Haru for help. She found him after running all around talking to a servant who was milking cows. Kisa grabbed his hand urgently. He looked down at her perplexed. The servant immediately stood when he saw her. Haru looked down at the orange haired girl waiting for her to say something.
"Nii-san! Trouble!!!" Kisa exclaimed peering up at him with troubled eyes.
"Kisa-hime," The guard greeted her with a respectful bow.
"Sorry! I have to borrow Nii-san now!" Kisa apologized pulling Haru off with her.
Kisa held his hand dashing off to the castle before he could get in a word. He pulled back slightly wanting an explanation. She felt him stop and turned around a little impatient which was quite unusual coming from the shy girl. Haru lifted an eyebrow at her wondering what has gotten into her. It had to be something concerning Tohru, he figured that much by past experiences.
"Kisa, do you want to explain this?"
"Onee-chan needs our help! Oubasan and Hakufu want to talk to her!" Kisa choked out breathlessly.
Haru was running with her now asking, "What are you planning to do?"
"I don't know…" Kisa murmured freezing in her steps.
"Well then, how do you expect to help her?"
Kisa looked down at her feet blushing embarrassedly. Haru patted her head sympathetically. She looked up at him cocking her head to the side. He smiled quickly coming up with an effective plan inside of his head. Kisa didn't know what he was thinking officially confused at how calm he was. If they didn't get there soon Tohru would be in deep trouble when she got back.
"Go distract them for a bit and I'll be right back!" Haru instructed as he ran off in another direction.
"Wait! Nii-san!" called Kisa.
Haru spun around smiling, "Trust me!"
"Great… Not I'm alone…" Kisa mumbled as she took the stairs two at a time up to Tohru's room.
Oubasan and Hakufu were already standing in front of the double doors to Tohru's room. Kisa ran in front of them, throwing herself before the doors without another thought. She panted tiredly not sure what to say to them now. They were giving her odd looks at this moment. Kisa took a deep breath trying to appear strong before them.
"Kisa! What is the meaning of this?!" shrieked Oubasan.
"Y-you ca-can't go in th-there!" Kisa struggled to say in between breaths.
"And why is that?" Hakufu asked.
"Um… Because… umm…"
Hakufu and Oubasan stood there glaring at her with cold eyes waiting for a valid answer. She bit her lip nervously. Their looks seemed to order her to move aside but Kisa wouldn't budge. Kisa's head went blank; she hoped Haru would put his plan into action soon. Coincidentally the white haired man arrived in the nick of time. He limped over, his face ghostly pale. Oubasan and Hakufu watched their nephew come over forgetting about Kisa and Tohru.
"Hakufu… Oubasan… I don't feel well…" Haru stated stumbling to them and collapsing on the ground.
"Haru! What Is the matter?" Hakufu asked.
"I ca-can't bre-breathe…" Haru muttered grasping his neck in his hands.
"EEK! I'll go get the doctor!" Oubasan yelled before she ran off.
Hakufu followed her down to the stairs to find their doctor. Kisa's eyes widened staring at Haru with worry. Had he gotten sick just now? He turned over and winked at her. She sighed with relief realizing that this was his plan all along. Kisa slid down to the floor with a smile. Tohru's secret was safe for now.
------------------
"Just a little further," Yuki encouraged her guiding Tohru through the thick forest.
Tohru followed close behind holding his hand to make sure she didn't fall behind and get lost. She looked around side to side at the small creatures scurrying around. Tohru pointed out each one of them with an adorable grin on her face. Shade was covering them provided by the tall trees. Signs of the early morning still show from the misty, dank air. A cool wet droplet slid off a leaf in a high tree landing on Tohru's arm. She let out a shriek jumping up and falling forward. Yuki spun around catching her in his arms.
"Are you alright?" Yuki asked her worriedly.
"Yes… Something cold landed on me…" Tohru murmured staring up at his face. She felt her cheeks turn a light pink feeling bashful. Yuki held onto her securely not letting her ever touch the ground.
"You mean a dew drop?" laughed Yuki as he helped her back to her feet.
"It just startled me is all…" Tohru admitted.
"I'm sorry… I shouldn't be laughing… Will you ever forgive me?"
"Hmm… I'll have to think about that…" Tohru smiled in a teasing tone.
"Do I have to give you a kiss to make up for it?" Yuki asked innocently cupping Tohru's chin in his hand inching his face closer and closer to hers.
When their lips were just barely an inch apart he pulled away releasing her face with a smile telling her, "Just kidding."
Tohru's face turned a darker red. Her heart was racing from how close he was to kissing her. A tight knot formed in her chest twisting around painfully. The feeling was strange to her. It was almost like disappointment. Yuki looked away frustrated at himself for being a coward, but it was still too soon for something like that to happen he told himself. He looked back at her flustered face feeling bad for teasing her now. Awkwardness lingered in the air. Neither of them knew what to say at this point.
"Er… Where are we?" Tohru asked trying to break the silence.
"Almost there…" Yuki replied remembering that he was supposed to be taking her somewhere.
The clumps of trees started to get thinner as a lovely crystal clear lake came into view. Birds fluttered around above singing sweet songs with their soft chirps. Flowers were in full bloom around the area. Rainbows of colors lit up the place adding a vibrant energy. The bright yellow sun reflected in the light blue lake, young green grass peaking out from the rich brown soil, everything seemed to be in place, a truly gorgeous site. Tohru's eyes sparkled with adoration when she spotted the magnificent sight.
"A lake??? How beautiful!!!" Tohru gasped her eyes flying around the place.
"I thought you might like it," Yuki replied happily.
"I've never been to a lake before!" Tohru exclaimed.
"I saw it as I was coming to find you and felt compelled to share it with you. Would you like to talk a walk around the lake with me?" Yuki suggested.
"I would love to!" Tohru cried.
A cool breeze blew gently tossing her hair around. Her dark strands rising ever so slightly and tickling the skin of his face. Yuki smiled watching her lips stretch wider and wider with each second. She looked so eager to explore the lake; it reminded him of a small child in a candy shop. Tohru skipped around energetically taking a look at every flower she passed and picking up a few of her favorites to show Yuki who smiled at everything she did.
"It's so pretty!" Tohru breathed.
"Yes it is…"Yuki agreed.
She bounced forward a bright red flower catching her eye. Tohru wanted to pick it and bring it back for Yuki to see oblivious to the long stick just below her feet. Yuki's eyes caught sight of this. He was pretty sure that Tohru was the type of girl who was a klutz and could only imagine what would happen.
"Tohru watch out for the-!" Yuki attempted to call out.
"Wah!" Tohru screamed tripping over a tree branch before her feet waving around her arms around frantically. His prediction was playing out before his eyes. She wobbled near the edge of the lake. Yuki reached out to grab her but it was too late. His hands closed around air. She was already sitting in the water. He tried to turn around but he was too far off to regain his balance. Yuki tried as best as he could to steady himself. Soon another splash was heard and Yuki was next to Tohru in the lake.
"-branch…" Yuki muttered.
Tohru giggled her eyes dancing with amusement. Yuki gazed at her water dripping off the front ends of his hair.
"You think this is funny do you?"
She nodded with a wide grin. He splashed her playfully water jumping up and hitting her. Tohru shrieked covering her face with her hands in attempt to stifle her laughter. Yuki continued getting her wet enjoying her struggle to keep dry when she was already drenched.
"Give up?" Yuki froze long enough to ask.
"Never!" Tohru laughed dumping a handful of water on Yuki's head before jumping up and running to shore. He sat there for a moment stunned that she had actually done that before standing up and running after her. Yuki caught her by the waist running his fingers up and down her abdomen tickling her. Tohru was more ticklish then he thought as she fell over dragging him with her still laughing uncontrollably. She rolled out of his grasp tears building in her eyes from all her laughter.
"I give up!" She squeaked in between laughs.
Yuki looked at her breathlessly his wet bangs clinging to his forehead. Water droplets slipped down his face making Tohru blush when she glanced over at him. He looked like a model for a water park or something close to that. She turned her face upwards towards the sky to keep him from seeing her flushed cheeks. He noticed anyways and was joyous inside. They laid there soaking wet from head to toe. After a few minutes they regained their composure, free from laughter and catching their breaths.
"I don't think I've had that much fun in my entire life!" Tohru told Yuki.
"I'm glad you enjoyed our time together as much as I did," Yuki replied.
"But now we're soaking wet…" Tohru sighed taking a look at her heavy clothes.
"Yes we are," Yuki chuckled.
They lay there for a little white longer before Yuki stood, removed his shirt wringing the excess water from it. Tohru jerked her eyes away her cheeks burning darker then ever. He laid his shirt on the grass for the sun to dry off completely. She kept her eyes off of his chest as best as possible when he walked back over to her not realizing her extreme modesty.
"You should get the water out of your clothes as well… I won't look…" Yuki promised.
Tohru nodded twisting her long hair first. She shook a few extra drops of water out before reaching to her back for the strings that held her dress on. Yuki turned around immediately to give her at least a little privacy. His back was tense, not sure what to do or say while she did her best to dry off.
"Uh… I could go somewhere else if you'd like…" Yuki offered not looking back.
"It's okay… I trust you…" Tohru replied as she slowly untied her wet dress.
Yuki stared at his feet embarrassedly waiting for her to finish. Tohru squeezed her dress watching the water leak out. She shivered as the wind brushed against her near bare body. She wrung her dress one last time to make sure it was dry. As she shook her dress to try and get more water out a strong gust caught her dress snatching it away. Tohru screamed in a state of panic not sure what else to do. Yuki whirled around to see what was wrong when her dress hit him directly in the face. He peeled it off his skin turning a bight red when he saw what it was.
"Sorry… Here…" Yuki mumbled extending his hand to her whilst keeping his eyes glued to the floor.
"Thank you… If you hadn't stopped it I don't know what I would have done…" Tohru responded gratefully taking the dress from him.
She pulled it on quickly. Tohru looked down at herself and made an attempt to straighten out the wrinkles with no success. She sighed shyly telling him, "You can look now."
He noted how wet they both were concluding that their day was near over. They couldn't stay around when they were wet. Yuki also guessed that they'd both be in serious trouble if anyone were to find out they weren't at home. Well he knew for one his mother wouldn't let him off so easily. Her parents were probably the same, but now he realized how little he knew about her. It seemed strange to have the urge to spend time with this girl he barely knew, but he knew that it was what he wanted. Yuki stared at her, it didn't seem like she minded being around him either. Nonetheless it was time to head back.
"Come one I'll walk you home. If we walk straight from here it's a short cut to your home." Yuki informed her pointing down a path.
"No! You don't have to! I can make it by myself. I couldn't ask you to trouble yourself with such a task!" Tohru cried.
"Don't worry, I want to. I understand if you'd rather be alone though…" Yuki added knowing he could coax her into it.
"I'd love your company!" Tohru exclaimed a little too excitedly.
Yuki beamed at her showing her the way back to her castle. They arrived there soon enough. She frowned sadly when they got there, sad to see him go and a little scared to find out if anyone had caught her. He bowed to her bending over with one arm across his stomach and the other behind his back. Tohru seemed surprised at his polite gesture feeling the need to bow three times to make up for it. This made Yuki grin as he touched the top of her head to tell her to stop. She peered up at him her hair hiding her eyes.
"I do hope you come see me again next week," Yuki said with a smile.
"Yes, please take care of yourself! Change into dry clothes as soon as you get home so you don't catch a cold!" Tohru advised sweetly standing up.
"I will. Make sure to do so yourself… If I knew you lived here we could have taken this route last time… Oh well…" Yuki breathed.
"Thank you! See you next time!" Tohru replied.
"See you then princess," Yuki responded.
Her eyes widened wondering if he knew. Yuki grinned waving to her before he turned around leaving her with her thoughts. Tohru decided to ignore it and crawled back under the secret entrance. She ran over to the castle wall and climbed up the rope. Her arms were sore; she rubbed them gently as she pulled the rope up. It had been a very exhausting day. She took off her damp dress and changing into a more comfortable dry dress.
"Whew… It seems like nobody noticed my absence…" Tohru thought as she peeked out her bedroom.
Sorry for the late update! I was coloring a recent Yukiru picture I did! Umm… So review and tell me if I should end this happily ever after or with a tragedy! The ending will be up to you guys because I have good ideas for both!
NOTE: I shall change the title of this fic to Forget Me Not. after two more chaps this won't be known as Forbidden anymore, m'kay? This new title has more significance.
